I have a 67 elcamino, I am looking for brake upgrades, I have 4 wheel drum, non-power. I was wondering if anyone knows which other chevy front disc's work, spindle swap or where I might be able to look to find out. I assume that I will have to take to whole brake system, booster, M/C.

or would this all be "easier" if I just bit the bullet and bought one of those power brake/disc conversions.

thanks
-Sid

[ November 03, 2002: Message edited by: VRTSid ]</p>

F-1Rodder

11-05-2002 05:02 PM

No, don't spend the money on a kit, you don't need to. You need to do some research though. But I believe that you can adapt up to '71 or maybe '72 discs from the front of most of the mid size GM cars (Buick, Pontiac Lemans, Chevelle, Camaro) between '67 and '71. I think you don't have to replace the whole spindle assembly, I believe it splits into two pieces and you use what you have for part of it and the disc units for the other half. I think the difference is how the various cars tie rods connect is the issue, not the brakes and spindles per se. But take some pictures of your car without the brake backing plate on and compare it to some of these cars. You will see that there is great similarity between all these cars front brake systems.

Don't plan on finding a dual wheel cylinder unit from an SS, they have all been pirated long ago.

I converted a set of '69 camaro drums to discs from a '70 or '71 Pontiac F-85 this way. There was no grinding etc, just interchange of parts. You can't do this by using an interchange book because even thought the parts may fit, they were never sold under those part numbers for your car, so you can forget interchange referencing. And further, where the early cars may have offered disc brakes as options, these cars were the first to donate their brakes to another and have been pretty well picked over.

You will need to change your master cylinder because the disc cylinders require a much larger filling volume than the drum brakes. Whatever you use as wheel cylinders, use the master from that car as well. You don't need vacuum assist unless you want to. You can stop without it. It will make your leg strong.

The disc brakes will be about 1 1/2" wider in total width than your drums. If you are thought ful and patient, you can probably do this for $100.

Good luck, this is an easy conversion once you find the pieces.

[ November 05, 2002: Message edited by: F-1Rodder ]</p>

Deuce

11-05-2002 05:42 PM

:D :D Spend the money and buy NEW stuff.

If you do not know how to do this (and it can be done) you will end end with your money gone and no brakes. Most all of the pieces you need are long ago picked over, old and worn out.

If you make it work.....if.... take the money you DID NOT SAVE and put good insurance on the Chevelle......you may need it. <img src="graemlins/sweat.gif" border="0" alt="[sweat]" /> <img src="graemlins/sweat.gif" border="0" alt="[sweat]" />

:D :D Buy the power assit upgrade

Django

11-07-2002 10:08 AM

$100? Not likely in this day and age.

I have a 67 Chevelle convertible and my disc brakes are from a 72 Monte Carlo. I got all my parts for the conversion from junkyards 20 years ago. It can be done today, but will take alot of effort. You'll need the spindles, calipers and master cylinder. I'd change your rubber lines too. Don't bother trying to find original 67 disc brakes. You'll pay twice as much for the parts and they aren't as good as 68 and up.

I would also suggest going here for all the Chevelle info you can possibly stand. Great bunch of guys and they can talk you through ANY issue on any Chevelle. <a href="http://www.chevelles.com" target="_blank">Team Chevelle</a>